One of my New Year’s rituals is to have a big closet clear-out. Not only does this free up space for new purchases and any presents I might have received over the holidays, but it’s also great for starting out the year with less clutter and a more focused wardrobe. Plus, you have the opportunity to help those in need by donating the clothes to a charitable organization.
Of course, this project can be daunting for those who don’t know where to begin. It’s easy to convince yourself that “one day” you will wear those skinny jeans from high school again, or finally find a use to wear that sequined evening gown. But are you being realistic? No. To help you determine which items need to go, I’m sharing a few of my tried-and-true tips.
-Throw out anything that doesn’t fit you, or your lifestyle. Sure, you’ve resolved to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year. But that doesn’t mean you should hang on to your old “skinny” clothes. They are just taking up space. If you lose the weight, great. You can reward yourself with some fab new outfits that highlight your new figure. The same goes for pieces that you really don’t have a use for, even though you may love them. For example, those six-inch sparkly heels may be stunning, but if you can’t walk in them, what’s the point? Give them to a friend or sell them at a consignment shop if you want to get more value for them.
-Give yourself a two-year expiration date. If you haven’t worn something in two years, toss it. Exceptions can be made for family heirlooms or, say, your wedding dress, but otherwise you should just face the facts: You’re probably not going to wear that item again.
-Ditch the duplicates. I’m all for buying multiples, such as packs of black leggings, or a great tee in various colors. But if you notice that everything you own looks alike, you can weed some things out. Unless you wear black turtlenecks on a daily basis, you probably don’t need five of them!
-See what can be fixed. A loose hem or missing button can easily be repaired. Keep items that simply need dry-cleaning or a little TLC to the side, and budget an hour to drop them off with the appropriate services. They’ll be good as new!
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